Whenua Hou diving petrel.
Photo: DOC
There are just 200 of the birds left at a single breeding colony in the dunes on Whenua Hou, near Rakiura / Stewart Island.
The birds - known as kuaka in Ngāi Tahu dialect - were once widely found in coastal dunes across southern New Zealand, but it wasn t until 2018 that it was discovered they were a distinct species of petrel.
However, invasive predators destroyed all breeding colonies except one.
Although Whenua Hou has been predator-free since 2000, other threats remain, including storms, climate change, and competition with common diving petrels.
The research by Victoria University of Wellington, the Department of Conservation and the University of California has been trying to piece together more information about the threats the little-known birds face.
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Tiny flying penguins need greater attention on land and at sea foreignaffairs.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from foreignaffairs.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Critically endangered Whenua Hou diving petrels, or kuaka in Ngāi Tahu dialect, may need greater protection from lights on vessels in seas surrounding.
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Chess culture!
Chess is a game with a long history. Its origins go back to 6th century India and it has fascinated people all over the world for centuries. Chess also unites people, even in politically difficult circumstances.
A large variety of different people love and play the game. They all have stories to share. Vlastimil Hort tells these stories.
Vlastimil Hort was born in 1944, during WW II, in Kladno, which at that time was in Czechoslovakia and is now part of the Czech Republic. Hort started his tournament career at the age of 16, and for more than half a century he has been a keen observer of his fellow players.